Scott Selleck

Scott Selleck

Children with autism have increased levels of genetic change in regions of the genome prone to DNA rearrangements, so-called "hotspots," according to a research discovery to be published in the print edition of the journal Human Molecular Genetics. The research indicates that these genetic changes come in the form of an excess of duplicated DNA segments in hotspot regions and may affect the chances that a child will develop autism -- a behavioral disorder that affects about 1 of every 88 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The research collaboration was led by a team from Penn State's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

A free public lecture titled "Genome Instability -- The Crucible of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children?" will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 23, in 100 Thomas Building on the Penn State University Park campus. The speaker will be Scott B. Selleck, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and head of the Penn State Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

"Your Genes: How They Contribute to Who You Are" is the theme of the 2013 Penn State Lectures on the Frontiers of Science, which will take place in January and February. This series of six public lectures on consecutive Saturday mornings is designed as a free minicourse for the general public. The lectures will take place from 11 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m., in 100 Thomas Building on the Penn State University Park campus, beginning Jan. 19. More information is available at http://science.psu.edu/frontiers.